“Safe today, strong tomorrow.”

Synergy Services believes everyone should have a safe place to call home. However, it’s not always the case, as 1 in 30 youth experience homelessness during a year (National Network for Youth). Synergy Services combats this statistic by providing care and shelter to youth.

Synergy Services has locations throughout the Northland in Kansas City, where it provides immediate respite to youth experiencing violence, crisis hotlines, emergency shelter, transitional housing, therapeutic services, advocacy, mentoring and violence prevention programs. When it began operating in 1970 as the Synergy House, it was the only shelter for runaway and unhoused youth in western Missouri.

Synergy Services has since expanded to serves children, youth, adults and families who may have experienced any of the following: mental health crisis, emergency shelter needs, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, classroom disruption, homelessness, teen parenting or bullying.

According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 32,969 students in Missouri were considered homeless in 2021 and 2022. The impact of youth homelessness can bring challenges like a lack of access to education, healthcare and employment opportunities. Synergy Services offers programs such as job support, educational goal support, mental health services and a health clinic. By providing these services, Synergy Services works to create a community that supports unhoused youth in the Kansas City area.

Synergy Services also offers a domestic violence housing program which includes 25 independent living apartments. While in shelter, victim-survivors and their families can gain access to rent and utility assistance for up to two years.

Synergy Services envisions “a world free of family violence.”  To help this vision come to life, Synergy Services outlines their services in five steps:

• Resolve crises by utilizing hotlines and advocates Synergy Services has available.
• Provide safety through emergency shelters and long-term housing options.
• Promote healing through counseling and support services.
• Build strength by empowerment and connection.
• Effect change. Break the cycle of domestic violence and create safe, strong families and communities.

In 2022, Synergy Services served more than 27,000 clients. Almost 14,000 students received prevention education. More than 41,000 hours of therapy were provided to community members. These stats show how Synergy Services has made strides to create a community free of violence and encourage resilience within individuals.

For more information visit Synergy Services‘ website or check out its member page on MCC’s website.

Blog post by Brianna Bowman